System and method for executing a lubrication plan

ABSTRACT

A method of executing a lubrication plan for lubricating a plurality of machines with grease is provided. Each machine includes one or more lubrication points where grease is delivered. The method defines a set of instructions for the lubrication plan, including at least a series of prescribed grease volumes to be delivered at a corresponding series of lubrication points; generating an image of each lubrication point in the series, including a visual indication of the location of that lubrication point on the machine; storing the set of instructions and each generated image in a system including a grease meter and a display device; displaying a generated image of a lubrication point on the display device, including the prescribed grease volume be delivered there; delivering grease at that lubrication point via the grease meter, displaying a generated image of a further lubrication point, including the prescribed grease volume be delivered there.

CROSS REFERENCE

This is a United States National Stage Application claiming the benefit of International Application Number PCT/EP2015/058097 filed on Apr. 14, 2015, which claims the benefit of British Patent Application 1406637.7 filed on Apr. 14, 2014 both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and method for lubricating a plurality of machines with grease, whereby each machine has one or more lubrication points.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Re-lubrication is an essential part of machine maintenance, particularly when the machine comprises rolling element bearings. Commonly, the bearings are mounted in a housing that is equipped with a lubrication point for supplying the bearing with grease. When the lubrication points on a machine are located in a hard-to-reach place, automatic lubricators are often connected to the lubrication points. If, however, the lubrication points are accessible, it is common practice for these lubrication points to be lubricated manually.

A maintenance technician may print out a task list of machines and associated lubrication points where a prescribed quantity of grease is to be delivered, when the prescribed re-lubrication interval has elapsed. A grease gun is typically used, possibly in combination with a grease flow meter, to ensure that the correct quantity of grease is delivered. When each lubrication task on the list has been completed, the technician will then enter the associated data in, for example, a lubrication scheduling program.

A problem associated with manual lubrication is that lubrication points are not always clearly indicated on a machine, making it possible to lubricate the wrong place. Also, the entry of data after all of the lubrication tasks have been performed incurs the risk of errors. A machine which had not, in fact, been re-lubricated might get marked as such in the program, meaning that the next scheduled lubrication action will occur too late.

A possible solution to this problem is proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,997,286, which discloses a method and a device for the manual lubrication of a plurality of lubrication points with a quantity of lubricant, individually predetermined for each lubrication point. The lubrication points are provided with individual identification elements. Information on the quantity of lubricant to be administered to each lubrication point in each instance of lubrication is stored in a memory. During lubrication, the lubrication point is identified and information on the predetermined quantity of lubricant is retrieved from the memory, following which lubricant is administered to the lubrication point. Information on the lubrication carried out and the time thereof is stored in the memory. The device includes a lubricant gun, with means for measuring the quantity administered and for identifying the lubrication point.

Although this solution eliminates many of the possibilities for human error, the cost and effort involved in providing each lubrication point with an electronic identification tag is considerable.

Consequently, there is room for improvement in terms of defining a method and a system for executing a manual re-lubrication plan, which are more straightforward and inexpensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention defines a method of executing a lubrication plan for lubricating a plurality of machines with grease, where each machine comprises one or more lubrication points where grease can be delivered. The method comprises steps of:

-   -   defining a set of instructions for the lubrication plan,         including at least a series of prescribed grease volumes V₁, V₂,         . . . V_(n) to be delivered at a corresponding series of         lubrication points L₁, L₂, . . . L_(n);     -   generating an image of each lubrication point in the series,         whereby each generated image comprises a photograph of the         machine that has the lubrication point, including a visual         indication of the location of that lubrication point on the         machine;     -   storing the set of instructions and each generated image in a         system comprising a grease meter and a display device;     -   displaying a generated image of a lubrication point in the         series on the display device, including the prescribed grease         volume be delivered there;     -   delivering grease at that lubrication point via the grease         meter, which measures and stores the delivered volume;     -   displaying a generated image of a further lubrication point in         the series, including the prescribed grease volume be delivered         there, whereby the step of displaying (vi) is triggered by the         storage of the delivered volume measured by the grease meter in         step (v); and     -   repeating steps (v) and (vi) until the grease meter has stored         the delivered volume of grease for all of the lubrication points         in the series.

Thus, a maintenance technician who is carrying out the lubrication plan sees a real image of each lubrication point, including an indication of where it is located on the particular machine. In one example, the location is indicated by an arrow that is superimposed on the photograph of the machine. It another example, the location is highlighted. Many other options exist.

The images are displayed on a screen of the display device. In some examples, the display device is integrated in the grease meter, which has the advantage of reducing the number of system components. In other examples, the grease meter is configured to communicate with an external device such as a smart phone or a tablet computer or a pair of ®Google glasses.

In addition to being directed to the correct point on a machine, the technician also sees the prescribed volume of grease to be delivered at that point. Preferably, the set of instructions also includes a prescribed type of grease to be delivered at each lubrication point in the series, which is displayed on the screen of the display device along with the prescribed volume. Furthermore, a code may be assigned to each lubrication point in series, which is then also displayed.

Therefore, by means of the displayed information and the use of a grease meter, the technician is able to provide the right amount of grease at the right place. The grease meter is configured to store the volume of grease that has been delivered during a lubrication event, which reduces the possibility for human error. The act of storing also triggers the display of the next lubrication point in the series.

In one embodiment of the method of the invention, a sequential order is assigned to each lubrication point in the series. Thus, a certain lubrication point is defined as the first point L₁ in the series and this first point is displayed in the first step of displaying (iv). After storage of the volume of grease delivered there, the next lubrication point in the sequential order, i.e. L₂, is displayed in the further step of displaying (vi). The next lubrication point to be displayed will be L₃ and so on.

In a further embodiment of the method, a geographic position is assigned to each lubrication point in the series and the grease meter or the display device is equipped with a positioning system. In this embodiment, the first lubrication point to be displayed is the lubrication point that is geographically closest to the technician (and positioning system). The next lubrication point to be displayed will again be the point in the series that is geographically closest, for which a delivered volume of grease has not yet been stored.

In a further development, the steps of displaying (iv) and (vi) further comprise displaying an indication of where the lubrication point is located, relative to the location of the technician, to guide the technician to the right location.

Furthermore, the system may be configured to store the geographic position at which a certain grease volume has been delivered. This enables verification that the right amount of grease has been delivered at the right place.

Advantageously, the grease meter is further configured to time stamp the time at which the delivered volume of grease was stored. This enables accuate scheduling of when the next lubrication event should be performed at the corresponding lubrication point.

In some examples, the grease meter is integrated in a grease gun that delivers the grease. The grease meter may then be further configured to stop the delivery of grease when the prescribed volume has been measured.

In a second aspect of the invention, a system for executing a lubrication plan is defined. The system comprises a display device and a grease meter for measuring a volumetric flow of grease through the meter, whereby the grease meter comprises:

-   -   memory means for storing a set of instructions, which at least         include a series of prescribed grease volumes V₁, V₂, . . .         V_(n) to be delivered at a corresponding series of lubrication         points L₁, L₂, . . . L_(n),     -   memory means for storing a volume of grease delivered at a         particular lubrication point; and     -   means for communicating with the display device.

The display device comprises memory means for storing an image of each lubrication point in the series, each image being a photograph of the machine that comprises the lubrication point, including a visual indication of the location of that lubrication point on the machine. Furthermore, the display device is configured to display each image along with the prescribed grease volume that is to be delivered at the corresponding lubrication point. After displaying one image, the display of a further image is triggered by the the grease meter when a delivered volume is stored.

Advantageously, the memory and communication means of the grease meter are housed within an electronic module that is separated from the mechanical parts of the grease meter, to protect the electronics from contamination. In a further development, the electronic module is a detachable module that can be repeatedly detached from and reconnected to the grease meter. Thus, if the technician wants to upload the stored data into a computer located in e.g. an office environment, the “dirty” parts of the grease meter can be left behind.

In a still further development, the grease meter is equipped with means for measuring and storing a signal from a sensor, such as a vibration sensor that is mounted on one or more of the machines to be relubricated. This makes it possible to carry out condition monitoring during a lubrication event.

Thus, the system and method of the invention enable a technician to execute a lubrication plan in an efficient and straightforward manner. Other advantages will become apparent from the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a plurality of machines and a series of lubrication points provided on the plurality of machines;

FIG. 2 shows an example of a generated image that may be displayed in the method of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows an example of a device configured for use in the method of the invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of four machines M1, M2, M3, M4, each of which has at least one lubrication point, defining a series of lubrication points L₁, L₂, L₃, L₄, L₅, L₆, L₇. Let us assume that all four machines are due for re-lubrication, whereby a prescribed volume of grease is to be delivered at each of the lubrication points. Thus, a series of prescribed grease volumes V₁, V₂, V₃, V₄, V₅, V₆, V₇ associated with the corresponding series of lubrication points L₁, L₂, L₃, L₄, L₅, L₆, L₇ can be defined.

The series of grease volumes to be delivered at the corresponding lubrication points forms a set of instructions or lubrication tasks which are to be executed manually by a technician. To facilitate the accurate and efficient execution of the lubrication tasks, the technician employs a system comprising a grease meter and a display device and follows an inventive method.

In a first step of the method, the set of instructions associated with the lubrication tasks are defined. The set of instructions at least includes a definition of the lubrication points to be lubricated and the volume of grease to be delivered there.

In a second step, an image of each lubrication point in the series is generated. The generated image comprises a digital photograph of the machine that has the lubrication point, plus an additional visual indication of the location of the lubrication point on the machine. An example of a generated image, of lubrication point L₁, is shown in FIG. 2. The generated image 5 consists of a photograph of machine M1 and a superimposed arrow 10 that points to the location of the lubrication point L₁.

Suitably, such an image is generated for each lubrication point in the plant or factory, whereby a unique identifier is assigned to each lubrication point. The unique identifier may be a code, such as “42-3202-244-DS” (indicated by reference numeral 20 in FIG. 2). In other words, a visual library of the lubrication points is created.

According to a third step in the method of the invention, the visual library of lubrication points and the set of instructions associated with the lubrication tasks are stored in a system comprising a grease meter and a display device.

In one embodiment of the method, the series of lubrication points at which grease is to be delivered is defined in sequential order. With reference to FIG. 1, lubrication point L₁ is the first point in the sequence, L₂ is the second point in the sequence and so on. After the set of instructions has been stored, a fourth step in the method comprises displaying the generated image 5 of the first lubrication point L₁ on a screen of the display device. In addition to the generated image, the prescribed volume of grease V₁ to be delivered at the first lubrication point is displayed, e.g. 5 g. Preferably, a prescribed type of grease to be delivered is also displayed, e.g. LGHP2 (indicated by reference numeral 15). The identification code 20 associated with the first lubrication point may also be displayed.

The photographic image of the machine M1 enables the technician to easily find the correct machine; the arrow 10 quickly directs him to the lubrication point L₁ and the displayed volume V₁ tells him how much to deliver. In a fifth step of the method, the technician delivers the prescribed volume of grease using a grease meter connected to e.g. a grease gun. The grease meter measures the volume of grease delivered and stores the delivered volume.

The storage of the delivered grease volume may be initiated by the technician, e.g. by pressing a button on the grease meter or on the display device. Alternatively, the grease meter may be configured to store the delivered volume after a prescribed interval of no grease flow measurement. For example, 30 seconds after grease delivery has stopped.

Storage of the volume of grease delivered at the first lubrication L₁ point triggers a sixth step of the method, in which a generated image of the next lubrication point L₂ in the sequence is displayed. Again, the generated image comprises a photograph of machine M1 plus an arrow that points to the location of the second lubrication point L₂ Furthermore, the prescribed volume of grease V₂ to be delivered there is displayed, preferably along with the prescribed type of grease and the identification code associated with the second lubrication point. After the technician has performed the lubrication task at L₂, the delivered volume is stored in the grease meter, which triggers the display of the third lubrication point L₃ in the sequence.

Thus, the fifth and sixth steps of the method are repeated until the final volume V₇ for the final lubrication point L₇ in the sequence has been stored. When all of the tasks have been performed, the delivered volumes V₁-V₇ associated with the corresponding lubrication points L₁-L₇ are suitably loaded into a central computer or, for example, a software package for managing and scheduling lubrication tasks. Alternatively, the completed task list may be uploaded to a cloud platform.

The display device used in the system and methods of the invention can be a tablet computer, or a smart phone or a pair of ®Google glasses. In one embodiment, the display device is integrated in the grease meter. A front view of such a grease meter is shown in FIG. 3.

The grease meter 30 in the depicted example is an oval gear meter such as described in WO2007/132062. The grease meter comprises two oval-shaped gears arranged to rotate in synchronism in a chamber provided in a housing 35. When grease flows through the chamber, the gears rotate at a speed proportional to the flow rate. The meter is further equipped with means for detecting the rotational speed of the gears, enabling the volume of grease passing though the chamber in a given time interval to be measured.

The grease meter further comprises a delivery tube 40 having first and second sections 41, 42 in connection with the chamber. The first section has a connection point 43 to which a grease gun is connectable; the second section 42 has a connection point 44 that is configured for connection to a machine lubrication point.

In the depicted example, the grease meter has a first screen 51 for displaying the volume of grease being measured. A second screen 52 is provided for displaying the generated image of a lubrication point, plus at least the prescribed grease volume, as described above. Needless to say, a single screen may be provided for displaying all information.

In a further embodiment, the grease meter or the display device (when separate) is equipped with a positioning system and a geographic position is assigned to each lubrication point L₁, L₂, L₃, L₄, L₅, L₆, L₇.

In a corresponding embodiment of the method, the first generated image to be displayed on the screen of the display device is a generated image of the lubrication point that is geographically closest to the positioning system. Let us assume that this is the lubrication point indicated in FIG. 1 with reference L₃. After the volume of grease delivered at L₃ has been stored, the next generated image displayed is a generated image of the lubrication point closest to L₃, i.e. L₄ The next generated image displayed will be an image of the closest lubrication point to L₄ for which a delivered volume of grease has not yet been stored. Advantageously, the grease meter is further configured to store the geographic position at which a delivered volume of grease is stored. This enables further verification that grease has been delivered at the correct lubrication point.

A number of aspects/embodiments of the invention have been described. The invention is not restricted to the described embodiments, but may be varied within the scope of the accompanying patent claims. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of executing a lubrication plan for lubricating a plurality of machines with grease, each machine comprising one or more lubrication points, the method comprising steps of: defining a set of instructions for the lubrication plan, including at least a series of prescribed grease volumes V1, V2, . . . Vn to be delivered at a corresponding series of lubrication points L1, L2, . . . Ln; generating an image of each lubrication point in the series, wherein the generated image comprises a photograph of the machine that provides the lubrication point, including a visual indication of the location of that lubrication point on the machine; storing the set of instructions and each generated image in a system comprising a grease meter and a display device; displaying a generated image of a lubrication point in the series on the display device, including the prescribed grease volume be delivered there; delivering grease at that lubrication point via the grease meter, which measures and stores the delivered volume; displaying a generated image of a further lubrication point in the series on the display device, including the prescribed grease volume to be delivered there, wherein the step of displaying the generated image of the further lubrication point is triggered by the storage of the delivered volume of grease measured by the grease meter in the step of delivering grease; and repeating the steps of delivering grease and displaying the generated image of the further lubrication point until the grease meter has stored the delivered volume of grease for all of the lubrication points in the series.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein: the step of defining a set of instructions includes defining a prescribed type of grease to be delivered at each lubrication point and assigning a code to each lubrication point; and the steps of displaying the generated image of the lubrication point and the generated image of the further lubrication point further include displaying the code assigned to the particular lubrication point and displaying the prescribed type of grease to be delivered there.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the grease meter comprises the display device.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the display device is a separate device with which the grease meter is configured to communicate.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the display device is a tablet computer or a smart phone or a pair of spectacles with display means.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of defining a set of instructions includes assigning a sequential order to each lubrication point in the series and wherein storage of the delivered volume at a particular lubrication point Li triggers the display of the next lubrication point Li+1 in the sequential order.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of defining a set of instructions includes assigning a geographic location to each lubrication point in the series and wherein the display device or the grease meter is equipped with a positioning system.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the steps of displaying the generated image of a lubrication point and displaying a generated image of a further lubrication point further comprise displaying an indication of where the lubrication point is located, relative to the location of the positioning system.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the grease meter is configured to store the geographic position at which the delivered volume is measured.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of displaying the generated image of the lubrication point is preceded by a step of identifying which of the lubrication points in the series, for which a delivered volume has not yet been stored, is geographically closest to the positioning system, and wherein the step of displaying the generated image of the lubrication point comprises displaying the identified lubrication point.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the grease meter is further configured to time stamp the time at which the delivered volume of grease was stored.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the grease meter is integrated in a grease gun that delivers the prescribed volume of grease.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the grease meter is configured to stop the delivery of grease when the prescribed volume is measured.
 14. A system for executing a lubrication plan, the system comprising: a grease meter for measuring a volumetric flow of grease through the meter, and a display device, wherein the grease meter provides: memory means for storing a set of instructions, which at least include a series of prescribed grease volumes V1, V2, . . . Vn to be delivered at a corresponding series of lubrication points L1, L2, . . . Ln, memory means for storing a volume of grease delivered at a particular lubrication point; and means for communicating with the display device; and wherein the display device: comprises memory means for storing an image of each lubrication point in the series, each image being a photograph of the machine that comprises the lubrication point, including a visual indication of the location of that lubrication point on the machine; and is configured to display each image along with the prescribed grease volume that is to be delivered at the corresponding lubrication point, whereby the display of the image of a further lubrication point in the series image is triggered by the grease meter when a delivered volume is stored.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the memory and communication means of the grease meter are housed within an electronic module that can be repeatedly connected to and disconnected from mechanical parts of the grease meter.
 16. The system of claim 1, wherein the grease meter further comprises means for measuring a sensor signal and for storing the measured signal.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the sensor signal is a vibration signal or an ultrasound signal. 